Officials to review cost of blizzard cleanup

Illinois and federal officials will meet in Springfield next week to review government costs of snow removal and other aspects of the blizzard earlier this month.

The meeting of authorities from the Illinois and federal emergency management agencies could help prompt Washington to help local governments pay for cleanup.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency has collected storm-related expense data from nearly 1,500 government bodies in 70 counties. The information includes expenses for snow and ice removal for a continuous 48-hour period beginning Feb. 1, debris removal and repair of damage to government facilities.

The state is also working with the National Weather Service to determine which counties experienced the heaviest snowfall -- also necessary for assistance eligibility.